Heidelberg University, officially the Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg, is a public research university in Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Founded in 1386 on instruction of Pope Urban VI, Heidelberg is Germany's oldest university and one of the world's oldest surviving universities. SEMPER APERTUS (Always open) has been Ruperto Carola's motto since its founding in 1386. Numerous great minds have studied, researched and taught here. Reflecting this spirit of openness, Germany's oldest university has significantly shaped knowledge and society since 1386.

With a long tradition of shaping the future, Heidelberg University sees itself as an internationally oriented research and teaching institution that offers a rich range of subjects and disciplines. It acknowledges its responsibility to humanity, society, and nature and is committed to broadening and harnessing its knowledge and skills, in a spirit of open-mindedness and tolerance toward individuals and ideas, for the benefit of future generations.

The Bachelor’s degree programme in Spanish 25% encompasses the following areas:

Literary studies:

literary history of Spain from the Middle Ages to the present day (genres, movements)
literary history of Latin America from the colonial period to the present day (genres, movements)
theories and methodologies in literary studies
interaction between national literatures
interaction between literature and other cultural systems (e.g. philosophy, theology, film, music)
situating literature within society and culture
Linguistics:

The content of courses in Spanish linguistics focusses primarily on the following areas:

development, history and spread of the Spanish language in Europe and Latin America
analysis of the Spanish language system (vocabulary, word formation, grammar, phonetics, dimensions of meaning)
investigation of the Spanish language via speech, text and discourse analysis
linguistic theories and methods
linguistic variation and varieties of Spanish
Cultural studies:

analysis of cultural phenomena in the Spanish and Hispanic world; from artistic expression (e.g. film) to popular culture (e.g. fashion), both in the past and in the present day
analysis of public discourse and its presentation in the media
analysis of the relationships between culture and power (e.g cultural heritage, mass media)
theories and methods of cultural analysis (e.g. performance, construction of space) and comparative cultural analysis (e.g. intercultural and transcultural approaches)
interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches
decolonisation theories
Language practice:

Spanish language courses are designed to enable students to

speak and write correctly and fluently
understand complex contemporary texts (novels, newspapers, academic texts etc.),
films, radio and television programmes, song lyrics etc.
reflect on and discuss, both orally and in writing, aspects of the Spanish-speaking world, literary works and
linguistic phenomena.
master and make accurate and differentiated use of grammatical structures,
in particular in the area of Spanish syntax
recognise and distinguish between different registers (formal, informal, official
Spanish)
translate texts of all types into Spanish (i.e. literary, academic, journalistic texts)

Since its establishment in 1386, Heidelberg University has produced a wealth of prominent and influential personalities – researchers, teachers and graduates alike. Heidelberg University is Germany’s oldest university and one of the strongest research universities in all of Europe. The successes in both rounds of the Excellence Initiative and in internationally recognised rankings prove that Heidelberg’s excellent reputation and leading role in the scientific community are well deserved. In terms of educating students and promoting promising early-career academics, Heidelberg relies on research-based teaching and an outstanding, well-structured training for doctoral candidates.

Heidelberg University is a comprehensive university, offering the full spectrum of disciplines in the humanities, law and the social sciences alongside the natural and life sciences, including medicine. As a comprehensive university, Heidelberg aims to continue to strengthen the individual disciplines and to further interdisciplinary cooperation, as well as to carry research results over into society and industry.

With its aspiration of connecting traditional academic values with future-oriented scientific concepts in research and teaching, the university is building bridges to the future – Zukunft. Seit 1386.

Mission

Firmly rooted in its history, the University is committed to expanding and disseminating our knowledge about all aspects of humanity and nature through research and education. The University upholds the principle of freedom of research and education, acknowledging its responsibility to humanity, society, and nature.

You will need to book the accommodation after you have been accepted.

You can choose to live on campus or off campus in private accommodation.

• Make a booking online after you have been accepted (in this case please let us know your choice when you apply).
• Register when you arrive - its not possible to reserve a room before arriving. You can arrive a few days before and book it